Thought I should start a thread about the concert in this place comprising a thrilling series of roundabouts that we used to call Basingstoke. Last night of the tour so expecting some demob happy bonhomie from the man as well as a few treats in the set list and guest list - that's if his voice is rising above a croak after all this gigging in the old country. Anyone else taking the ultimate night plunge?

I had a crazy idea to come over from Kent to see this show. I have a sister living in Mortimer and wondered whether I'd be able to get there using public transport okay at 11pm at night. Anyone know if this is possible?

FrankieJ wrote:Coming from Canterbury, but I would need to stay over in Mortimer at my sister's house. Need to work out whether that is possible travelling from the venue to Mortimer using the trains.

National Rail website says there is a train at 22:55 from Basingstoke to Mortimer (which takes 11 minutes) and another at 23:30 from Basingstoke. Failing that, there is yet another are 00:02 the next day, arriving Mortimer 00:13.

The venue (IIRC) is a short walk from Basingstoke Railway station, so this looks entirely doable.

FrankieJ wrote:Coming from Canterbury, but I would need to stay over in Mortimer at my sister's house. Need to work out whether that is possible travelling from the venue to Mortimer using the trains.

National Rail website says there is a train at 22:55 from Basingstoke to Mortimer (which takes 11 minutes) and another at 23:30 from Basingstoke. Failing that, there is yet another are 00:02 the next day, arriving Mortimer 00:13.

The venue (IIRC) is a short walk from Basingstoke Railway station, so this looks entirely doable.

MOOT

Nice! Thanks! I haven't come across a decent ticket yet, but if I do I might consider this.

Great turn out already to see the great man back off home. Looking forward to seeing everyone. I treated getting the tickets as a Glastonbury like endeavour to the extent that I ended up being the first person and got centre front row. Dangerous I know as EC does spit when he sings sometimes.

Last edited by WindUpWorld on Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The Anvil website has some travel news, which may affect those of us driving to and from the show on Friday:

" Black Dam improvement - planned June weekend closures

Please note planned closures will occur on M3 Spur Northbound, from junction 6 to the Black Dam roundabout, reducing the Black Dam roundabout to a single lane over the next two weekends. This will allow the construction of a new splitter island at the northern point of the M3 Spur.

The work will take place from:

10pm on Friday 26 June until 5.30am on Monday 29 June

At this time, road users will be advised to use Junctions 7 or 5 as an alternative route into Basingstoke.

Please allow additional time for your journey to The Anvil and The Haymarket while these works take place."

Even though the warning says from 10pm the road improvement roadworks between J6 and the town are a bit of a nightmare. I wd allow an extra 30 min if you can. J7 may be a better option - it is generally less busy but can be affected by the J6 chaos. Do not come in via J5 as you will still be affected by the roadworks.

Hope we'll make it early to the bar and say hellos. If not, self and friend Patrick will be sitting centre front row. Disclosure: many years before I knew him he wrote that review of The Juliet Letters in Vox Magazine, though all's long been forgiven by both sides, peace accords signed, prisoners exchanged etc. Terrifically nice chap and a long term genuine fan - with caveats but equally, unless you're planning on overnighting, it's not advisable to get him started on someone like Dylan (or currently Lonnie Donegan) in that respect.

I Have spoken to the oracle that is Mrs Solack (and she is the person who drives in our family) she advises sticking to J6 on the way in if you are coming from London direction as the extra junction is 7+ miles and then a longer trip to the Anvil including several roundabouts.